This is why we should be grateful to people like Boris Johnson and Iain Duncan Smith, because every time they say something about Europe, they make it clearer which way to vote in the referendum.

The Momentum decision shows how out of touch the would-be ‘tactical advisers’, ready with the ‘low down’ on international capitalism’ to the left of New Left Review (NLR) have become.

As in one Susan Watkins and Corbyn’s ‘best mate’ Tariq Ali.

Watkins has just written this piffle for the increasingly out of touch NLR, Left Oppostions.

British exit from the eu is a tactical, not a strategic question; the left takes different stances on it, and some might want a campaign for contemptuous abstention or vote-spoiling. But at one level the politics of the Brexit referendum are clear: a vote to remain, whatever its motivation, will function in this context as a vote for a British establishment that has long channelled Washington’s demands into the Brussels negotiating chambers, scotching hopes for a ‘social Europe’ since the Single European Act of 1986.

A Leave vote would be a salutary shock to this trans-Atlantic oligopoly……

This senescent ‘leftist’ disorder is predicated on the belief that ‘after Brexit’ there will be a golden age for those able to take advantage of this shock. No doubt they will include those whose working conditions are worsened, my union branch members who will lose their cross EU Worker Council, which enables them to bargain from a position of strength in their transeuropean company, those whose status as EU migrants is removed, and all who will have to face life under a Boris, Gove, Whittingdale and Iain Duncan Smith regime.

That is, life in a right-wing rat hole.

Meanwhile the left is now preparing its campaign:

The below will be discussed at the Momentum National Committee in Manchester tomorrow.

EU REFERENDUM – FOR A LEFT “IN” VOTE

Britain leaving the EU would be a victory for the nationalist right and their campaign against migrants, almost certainly reshaping the British political and social landscape for the worse.

The EU promotes neoliberal policies in the interests of capitalism – but so does the UK. The British ruling class and government will press ahead with attacks in or out – and outside the EU, the barriers to their assault will be lower, while barriers between us and our brothers and sisters in other countries will be higher.

We support an “in” vote.

***

We oppose David Cameron’s reforms, which attack the rights of workers and migrants. We endorse Jeremy Corbyn’s call for a “Europe that puts people, not multinationals, at its heart”, through “public ownership […] democratisation, stronger workers’ rights, sustainable growth and jobs”, won through “alliances across Europe to end austerity”.

We call for:
• Cross­-European working­-class and social movement struggles against austerity and for levelling up wages, conditions, services and rights, funded by taxing the rich and public ownership of finance;
• Radical democratisation, including empowering the European Parliament;
•­ An end to “Fortress Europe” – freedom of movement and equal rights for all.

***

Using the slogans “Another Europe is possible”, “For a workers’ Europe” and “For a socialist Europe”, Momentum nationally will campaign for an “in” on this basis, making defence of migrants, anti­austerity and international solidarity central. This will include an urgent press release, a leaflet and a rally in London at least.

We will work with Labour, with “in” unions, and with the Another Europe is Possible network.

We call on the whole of Momentum to campaign on this basis.

Meanwhile on the fringes of the Labour Movement, Socialist Worker says,

I’m sure many people, that is the tens of thousands on their mailing lists and the smaller, but larger than that total, who are part of local groups, haven’t realised yet that you have to be a full member to vote in these consultations.

The figure at the Lexit meeting, 150, is more significantly very low – the SWP Party Notes said that they had cancelled all branch meetings so their members could attend, and there was Counterfire, the CPB and others there as well.

Momentum isn’t the “far left” though. It represents the Labour broad left. The “far left” would presumably be the SWP, Socialist Party and various tiny sects; about 5000 people if you put them all together I suspect.

And 3000 people responded to an online poll. The membership is quite considerably more.

PW: times and opinions on the left in British politics have changed (for the better IMHO) since 1975: the vast majority of the Labour and Trade Union movement, including the pro-Corbyn Left now realise that our continued membership olf the EU is essential for defending workers’ rights and that Brexit would be a victory for the extreme racist Right. Only the irresponsible morons of the SWP, Counterfire, Socialist Party and Morning Star don’t get it. But, thankfully, they have been comprehensively defeated in our movement.

Om Facebook there are those already making explicit a reason for their backing for the Out campaign as this comment on The Left group indicates “the left does need to address the question of economic migrants from the EU, who are taking Jobs that could go to British workers”.

I for one have not the slightest desire to be stuck in a right-wing Brexit rat-hole with the kind of ‘left’ that thinks that “economic migrants from the EU” are “taking jobs that could go to British workers” let alone with Boris, Gove and IDS in power.

Well I’m member 3700 and something and I never got sent a referendum form. If I had I would have added my vote for the 20% abstentionists. And I can guarantee you on the day we will be in the majority!

I notice Owen is speaking for “remain” on your Logan Hall meeting – wasn’t he arguing for leaving only a few months back? I know he changed his position to stay a few of months later but are you sure he won’t have changed it again by the time of the meeting?